Hermosa Beach - surf spot statistics

Hermosa Beach offers relatively consistent swell conditions year-round, with ground swells dominating most months, particularly from June through September, where they account for 79-82% of the swell activity. The mean swell size hovers between 0.7m and 0.9m, peaking in winter (November to February) with slightly larger waves. However, wind conditions are often unfavorable, with the highest likelihood of bad winds occurring from April to September, when onshore winds prevail 74-81% of the time. The best balance between swell consistency and manageable winds appears in late fall and early winter (October to December), where ground swells remain solid (63-77%), and wind conditions improve slightly with good winds reaching 29-34%. January and February also see decent ground swells (72-73%) but still suffer from higher bad wind probabilities (63-65%). Summer months (June-August) bring the cleanest ground swell dominance (79-81%) but are plagued by poor wind conditions (79-81% bad winds), making the waves choppy and less ideal. For surfers prioritizing quality, late fall and early winter offer the most promising combination of reliable swell and slightly better wind odds, though patience for favorable wind days is key.

December at Hermosa Beach offers surfable conditions, though they vary in quality. The average swell height is 0.8m with a solid 13.2s period, indicating clean, well-spaced waves. The dominant swell direction is from the west (W), with 34.31% of waves in the 0.5-1m range and 14.52% in the 1-1.5m range, suggesting frequent waist-to-chest-high waves. WSW also contributes, bringing slightly larger sets (2.06% at 1-1.5m, 0.78% at 1.5-2m). Winds are favorable 34% of the time, typically light (0-20kph) from the north to northwest, which can groom the surf. However, stronger NNE winds (7.67% at 10-20kph) may occasionally create chop. Overall, expect smaller, clean waves with the best days when west swells combine with light offshore winds—ideal for intermediate surfers, though bigger days are rare. Pack your standard shortboard and be ready for variability.